My first memory of a hot air balloon is from the news accounts of the Great Forest Park Balloon Race held every year in Saint Louis, MO. When I received my pilot’s license to fly hot air balloons, my dad teased me by saying, “You’re not really a balloon pilot until you’ve flown in The Great Forest Park Balloon Race”.
Little did my dad know how prophetic this quote of his would be... The Great Forest Park Balloon Race requires you to fly a number of limited hot air balloon flights in congested airspace for most of the flight and requires a pilot and his crew to be on top of their game.
I was thrilled to be asked to participate in the Great Forest Park Balloon Race for the 2002 event. That thrill was easily surpassed by my First Place finish in the race in 2005. Since I grew up in the area it is a very big honor to have my name placed on that trophy and displayed in the Saint Louis History Museum.
Click here for the official website of the Great Forest Park Balloon Race
Great Forest Park Balloon Race
Balloon Glow #1
Getting Ready for flight!
Da Crew
United Van lines special shape balloon
Toasting our 2005 Championship
Balloon Glow #2
Balloon Glow #3
Competition Flight
In the air!
the launch field
competition flight
balloon Glow #4
Balloon Glow #5
My wife and Crew Chief
Balloon Glow #6
The 1st Place Team!
En route to target
Toasting our Good Fortune
Balloon Glow #7
Mass Asencsion
Above Saint Louis
Balloon over STL
Wow... that’s so awesome Mr. Trione!
on the launch field
United Van Lines Balloon
Bunny getting ready!
Bunny don’t sit on John’s Truck!
Bunny Lifting off.
Airborne Hare!
Getting ready to go.
Friday night balloon glow
My nieces Skylar & Sidney
Packing up after the glow
Pack em up!
Skylar pushing the air out
glow2
pre-launch activities
race15
glow3
Forest Park '03
